sorry, my "multiple kvms" meant I have several.  24 port daisy chainable ones, though never got a daisy chain cable, and never reconnected enough old computers to actually need them.  At this point only using one modern 4 port one.

aside (i think) some computers won't boot up through kvm, the bios can't handle the usb hub before the keyboard/mouse.

My suggestion was that one kvm re-initializes faster than the others, and gets bad info from the monitors who are only partially reinitialized and so give out info saying "not ready" or something like that to the kvm.

or when it gets the "not ready" from the monitor, it gives up, whereas the other kvms try again.

Have you experimented with unplugging parts and plugging back in in different orders (simulated power outage)?

Carey

> On 06/24/2026 10:43 AM CDT D. Hugh Redelmeier via Talk <talk@lists.gtalug.org> wrote:
>
> 
> > From: CAREY SCHUG via Talk <talk@lists.gtalug.org>
>
> > ignoramus here, who owns multiple KVMs.
>
> I do.
>
> I have three going now.  Various models.  Each for a different collection
> of computers.  Each supports four computers: switches supporting more are
> much more expensive.
>
> I have a couple that are no longer used:
> - PS/2 KM and  DVI V
> - PS/2 KM and VGA V
>
> I have three broken ones: USB part no longer working.  Roughly this model,
> but red:
> <https://www.amazon.ca/TESmart-Switching-Switcher-Computers-Keyboard/dp/B0CC8DR8SF/ref=ast_sto_dp_puis>
> Bought long ago at a significantly lower price.
>
> Why not PiKVM?
>
> - much more expensive per host -- starts at about $100. (recently I paid
>   $40 for a 4 port KVM from AliExpress)
>
> - lower resolution
>
> > If kvm comes back before monitors (likely as less electronics to reset),
> > won't it have bad info about the monitors to give out when asked?
>
> Apparently not.  My other KVMs work.
>
> The KVM could know when a monitor is connected and powered on.
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